Circulating heater



w 19430 G. B. HERBSTER 2,336,609

CIRCULATING HEATER v Filed 00"}. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HIS

U BY GEORGE B. HERBSTER Dag 14, 1943.

G B. HERBSTER C'IRCULATING HEATER Filed Oct. 2. 1941 4 Sheets-Shee t 2 550m: BJ-lERBSTER ATTORNEY HIS 14, 1943- G. B/HERBSTER 2,336,609

CIRCULATING HEATER Filed OG'b. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. GEORGE B. HERBSTER HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 1-4, 1943.

G. 'B. HERBSTER CIRCULATING HEATER Filed Oct. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. Y mfi E N T N EM Wm B a R O E G S n Y B I 9 6 2 7 u n 2- 7 Federated Dec. 1 2-, 1943 George B. Her-luster, Cleveland, (Ohio, assignoir to John lili. Leonard, (Cleveland, ()hio, as trustee Application October 2; 1941, Serial No. 13,311

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a gas fired space heater and particularly to a gas fired heater by which air in a space to be heated is circulated into heat exchange relationship to the heater and then is distributed more effectivelythroughout the space to be heated. One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a gas fired forced air circulation heater which is oscillatible about a generally upright axis so as to discharge the air passing the heat exchange head more uniformly about the space to be heated.

A more specific object is to provide an oscillating gas fired heater for circulating air in heat exchange relation thereto and for discharging the air uniformly into the space to be heated and having means for supplying combustible heating media thereto in a manner. such that the media is supplied without necessitating any of the usual slip-joints, packed connections, or-flexlble connections between the supply line and the burner.

Another object is to provide an oscillating fuel fired heater from which the products of combustion can be vented to a suitable stack .in all oscillated positions of the heater.

Another object is to provide an oscillating heater of the type described which is supported on a pedestal through which primary and some secondary air are supplied, the air supply through the pedestal being admitted adjacent the floor level of the space to be heated, whereby cooler and vitiated air is removed from the room and utilized in the combustion and the warmerand fresher air is recirculated effectively.

Other objects and advantages will become ap parent from the following specification wherein reference is made to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view throu h a heater. embodying the principles of the present invention and is taken on a plane indicated by the line l-l in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view ofthe heater illus-,

trated in Fig. 1, part thereof being shown in section for clearness in illustration 9. line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. fragmentary front elevation of part and istaken on of the heater and supporting pedestal showing the manner of mounting, and is taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation partly in. section,

illustrating a ceiling suspended unit embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig; 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a heat exchange head and burner, showing a modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the heat exchanger illustrated in Fig. 6 and is taken online ii-i in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sideelevation, partly in section, illustrating a modification of the invention.

Referring to. Fig. l, the embodiment of the invention therein illustrated comprises a hollow heat exchange head designated generally at i, the head preferably being in the form ofa plurality of concentric heating tubes 2 which open at their lower ends into an integral combustion compartment 3. The tubes, at their upper ends,

are in communication with a flue s so that combustible gases and heating media from the combustion chamber 3 pass upwardly through the concentric tubes Z'into the flue d from which they exhaust. The tubes 2 are spaced apart radially so as to define concentric air passages 5 through which air is forced from the rear to the from rear to front, a power driven blower means.

such as a fan I driven by a motor 8, is provided. The fan I is disposed to the rear of the head. The head is preferably relatively narrow fore and aft and relatively wide so as to afiord as large an exposed radiating surface forwardly as possible.

The heat exchange head I is mounted in. a suitable sheet metal casing 58 which extends to the rear of the head and provides a decorative housing -for the fan I and motor 8.

In the form illustrated, the motor a is mounted on brackets l I, which, in turn, are secured to the inside of the housing "I. The housing I0 is provided with a. plurality of air ports l2 through a which air -in the room is drawn by the fan and forced through the heat exchange head. .The

heat exchanger, housing, fan and motor are in the form of a unit which is complete in itself.

This unit ismounted on a support which is preferably in the form of. a pedestal l5 for osoillation about a. predetermined axis, preferably the vertical axis of the pedestal l5. In order to provide such a mounting, the pedestal is preferably madein the form of a hollow pipe of adequate strength and diameter to support the unit.

. the usual shape, if desired.

Near the upper end of the pipe is secured a sta tionary annular bearing ring l6 having an upner for preventing the accidental lifting of the unit from the support is.

The unit may be oscillated -by a power driven linkage of the general type used on oscillating electric fans, or by any other suitable means, or it may be rotated through 360 alternately or continuously, the choice of rotationor oscillation depending largely upon whet r it. is to be placed centrally of the space to be he ted or in a corner of such space. As illustrated in Fig. 1, oscillation is affected by power derived from the fan motor 8, one end of the shaft of the motor 8 carrying a worm gear 20 which drives a suitable pinion gear 2| mounted on a shaft 22. The shaft 22 is provided with a crank 23 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to one end of a link or arm 24. The link 24 is pivotally connected by a pivot 25 to a suitable stationary lug 25 on the pedestal i5.

This type of linkage is one of the types generally used on oscillating electric fans and is adapted to oscillate the heating head through an angle between 90 and 180 about the vertical axis of the pedestal l5. As mentioned, however, the motor 8 may be drivingly connected by suitable gear means on the pedestal l so as to rotate the heater through 360. Since the present heater unit usually is used in the corner of a room, oscillation through 90 is generally suflicient.

As mentioned in the objects of the invention, it is desirable to supply gas to the interior of the heat exchange head I without the necessity of I heat exchanging relation to and beyond the head.

For accomplishing these desired results, and at the same time making possible the use of a burner which is substantially coextensive with the heating head which is narrow fore and aft but rather wide, the burner and injection nozzle arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 is utilized; As there illustrated, an elongated burner 30 is provided and is securely fastened so as to discharge combustible media. upwardly over substantially its entire upper surface into the lower portion of the heat exchanger which forms the combustion chamber 3. For this purpose, suitable supporting lugs 3i are provided on the inner walls of the combustion chamber portion 3 and the burner is fixedly fastened in place thereon by suitable bolts 32. The burner has a depending mixing tube 33 which terminates downwardly in a down-.

wardly facing mixing bell portion 34, the tube 33, including the mixing bell portion 34 being of the usual central gas'injection opening "and is provided with the usual rotatably adjustable sheet metal primary air damper 38. The mixing tube is arranged so that the gas injection opening 35 is substantially coaxial with the axis of oscillation, or rotation, head. The burner is positioned with its outlet vents appreciably above the level of the bearing,

The mixing bell has i8 so that as little heat as possible, is transmitted to the bearing.

In order to inject gas and primary air into the mixing bell portion 34, a suitable gas supply pipe 31 is secured fixedly in place within the support or pedestal l5. On the upper end of the pipe 31 is a gas injection nozzle 38 of the customary type. The nozzle 38 is likewise coaxiaiwith the axis of oscillation or rotation of the head and preferably is sufilciently rigidly supported so that it is received in the opening 35 without contact with the walls thereof. However, if the nozzle-38 is secured tightly in place, light contact between the walls of the opening 35 and the nozzle 38 or slight eccentricity of the two would be relatively unimportant and would not affect the operation, as leakage of gas at such a low pressure location would not be apt to occur or would be induced into the burner. Thus in all oscillated or rotated positions of the head, gas is supplied to the heater effectively and without any flexible connection,"

. the full pressure of the gas line. Flexible joints flexible connections, slip joints, packed connecor the heat exchanger are prohibited because of danger of leakage and breakage.

A suitable control valve 40 may be provided in the gas line 31. The base of the pedestal is preferably mounted in a heavy casting H which is provided with a. door 42 to afford access to the interior of the base. The valve 40 is preferably located in the base 4i so as-to be protected from accidental operation.

In order to supply primary air and some secondary air to the heater, the base 4| has a plurality of air inlet ports 43 arranged near the floor level so that air from the floor level may be drawn into the interior of the pedestal and passed therethrough into the interior of the burner and into the heat exchanger I.

This necessitates openings 44 in the portion of the pedestal i5 within the base. The exhaust fine 4 of the heat exchanger head is preferably arranged at the top of the heat exchanger and a short flue extension 45 is so located that its discharge end is coaxial with the upright axis of the pedestal 15 or the axis of rotation or oscillation of the heat exchanger head.

In most instances. a stack is required for discharging the products of combustion from the interior of the head to the outside atmosphere. Such stacks, however, generally require a suitable means for preventing blow-backs caused by outside drafts, as such blow-backs are apt to extinguish the flame of the heater or 1111 the room with flumes. In the form illustrated, the

stack may be the usual sheetmetal stack 45 having the customary downwardly flaring skirt 41 at its lower or inlet end with the usual baiiie 48 arranged within the stack so as to baflie any blow-backs. The skirt is preferably coaxial with the discharge end 49 of the flue extension 45 and the end 49 of. the flue extension terminates shortly below the baiiie but out of contact with the skirt. Thus the advantage is taken of the customary means for preventing blow-backs to assure the discharge of the products of combustion during oscillation or rotation of the heat exchanger head.

In some instances it is desirable to suspend the unit from overhead and yet maintain oscillation.

The suspended unit is the same in all respects as the pedestal supported type comprising generally a heat exchange head 50, a casing an exhaust fiue 52 and a burner 53, the burner having a depending mixing bell portion 54. Mounted on the casing 5| is a bearing ring 55 which cooperates with a complementary ring 56 which is supported on brackets 57. The brackets 51 are secured to the ceiling of the room and, through the medium of cooperating bear ing plates and ball bearings, if desired, support the head for oscillating movement. The oscillat'ion of the head in such instances is effected in the same manner as in the pedestal supported type, the fixed pivot corresponding to the pivot being fastened to the brackets 51. The exhaust stack 58 may be securely fastened in place 7 and extends between adjacent ones of a pair of the brackets 51. As in the case of the pedestal supported type, the flue 52 of the head extends into the skirt 59 of the stack. Gas is supplied to the burner from a gas line 60, having a gas nozzle 6| which is received in the usual opening in the mixing bell 54. Likewise, as in the case of the pedestal supported heater, the nozzle 6| and discharge opening of the flue 52 are coaxial with the axis of oscillation or rotation.

Referring next to Figs. 6 and '7, there are some instances in which a modified arrangement there shown may be used and by which, also, oscillation of the heater head can be obtained without slip connections. Though the arrangement there illustrated is suitable in some instances thereof, it does not have all the advantages contained in the structure heretofore described. In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the heat exchanger 62- is preferably of greater thickness fore and aft than the heat exchangers heretofore described so that the bottom of the exchanger or the combustion chamber portion is more nearly square. With such a heat exchange head, fair results can be obtained by providing a round burner 63 which is fixedly supported by brackets 64 on the support, such as the support I5 illustrated in Fig. 1, of the heaterunit. An opening 65 of adequate size to receive the burner 63 is provided in the bottom of the head, the opening 65 preferably being circular and slightly larger in diameter than the burner. With this arrangement, the heat exchange head can rotate or oscillate while the burner remains stationary, and accordingly combustible gaseous media can be supplied effectively into the combustion chamber of the heat exchanger without slip joints and the like. 3

Referring next to Fig. 8, the heater'shown is one which rotates continuously through three hundred and sixty degrees and is useful for installation wherein it'is desired to heat a room from a space in the center of the room. In this form of the heater, the head is enclosed in a casing 66, in which the fan motor 61 also is mounted. Instead of the linkage illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the'rear end of the motor shaft is drivingly connected to a flexible transmission cable 68 which, in turn, drives a pinion 69. The

pinion 69 is mounted for rotation about its axis in a suitable bearing 10 carried on an extension H of the casing 66. The pinion 69 is in mesh with a stationary gear 12 which is fixedly connected to the supporting column 13. Upon operation of the motor, the pinion 69 travels about the gear 12, thus rotating the casing 66 and the included heating head and motor 61. By reason of the small size of the pinion relative to the gear the speed of rotation of the expelled column of warmed or heated air in the room will be comparable to the alternate rotary motion imparted to the column of discharged warmed air in accordanc with the previously described forms.

Having thus described my invention:

I claim:

1. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head mounted on the support for rotation about a predetermined axis, means for rotating the head, said head having an outlet for heated air, means for angularly redirecting the outlet into a space to be heated consequent upon rotation of the head and generally transversely of the axis of rotation of the head, means for forcing a current of air into heat transferring relationship to the head during rotation of the head, and means for supplying combustible media into the head continuously during rotationof the head for sustaining a flame.

2. A heater comprising a support, a heat exchange head mounted on the support for oscillation about a predetermined axis, said head having anair discharge outlet extending transverse to the axis of oscillation whereby to change the position of the outlet alternately with reference to the room space to be heated, means for oscillating the head, means for forcing a current of air into contact with and past the head during oscillation of the head, and means substantially at the said axis and operative to supply combustible media to the head continuously during oscillation of the head.

3. A heater comprising a sup-port, a hollow heat' exchange head mounted on the support for rotation about a predetermined axis, said head haw ing a discharge outlet extending transversely of the axis of rotation whereby progressively to redirect discharged air into the space to be'heated upon rotation of the head, means for rotating plying combustible media into the head, said last mentioned means and said exhaust opening being substantially coaxial with said axis of rota tion.

4. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head mounted on the support for-rotation about a predetermined axis, means for rotating the head, means for forcing a current of air into heat transferring relationship to the head during rotation of the head, said head having an outlet for said air which outlet extends transversely of the axis of rotation whereby the outlet is progressively redirected in the space to be heated consequent upon rotation of the head, flue means on the head having an exhaust opening, said head having an opening at the bottom, fixed burner means extending through said bottom opening for delivering combustible media to the head, and said bottom opening and exhaust opening being substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation.

5. A heater comprising a. support, a heating sequent upon such oscillation, a burner in fixed position relative to the head and arranged for supplying heating media into the head, said bumer having a mixing tube with a gas inlet opening therein coaxial with said axis of oscillation, a gas nozzle mounted in fixed position with respect to the support and received in said opening for supplying combustible media to the burner.

6. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head mounted on the support for rotation about a predetermined axis, means for rotating the head, means for supplying combustible media to the head during rotation of the head for ustaining a flame, means for forcing a current of air into heat transferring relationship to the head during rotation of the head, anoutlet for th head extending transverse to the axisof rotation whereby the air from the outlet is angularly redirected in the space to be heated consequent upon rotation of the head, and flue means on the head having an exhaust passage with it outlet end coaxial with the axis of rota+ tion of the head.

7. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head mounted on the support for oscillation about a predetermined axis, means for oscillating the head, means for forcing a current i of air in heat exchange relation to the head in all oscillated positions of the head, a gas burner carried by the support and positioned to discharge a combustible mixture into the head in all oscillated positions of the head, said head having an opening through which the burner extends, and said burner and head being out of contact with respect to each other in all oscillated positions of the head.

8. A heater comprising a hollow support, a heat exchange head mounted thereon for rotary movement about an upright axis, means for rotating the head, the interior of the head being in communication with the interior of the support, means for forcing a current of air into heat exchanging relationship to the head, outlet means for the head extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the head whereby the outlet is progressively angularly redirected in the space to be heated consequent upon rotation of the head, means disposed within the supportand lower portion of the head for supplying combustible media to the head, said support having an opening for admitting air to the last mentioned means through the support.

9. A heater comprising a generally upright hollow support, a heat exchange head mounted thereon at the upper end for rotary movement about an upright axis, means for rotating the head, the interior of the head being in, communication with the interior of the support,

mean for forcing a current of air about the head, outlet means on the head extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the head for discharging air therefrom progressively in new directions into the space to be heated consequent r upon rotationof the head, means disposed within the support and lower portion of the head for supplying combustible media to the head, said support having an opening near the bottom for admitting air to the'last mentioned means, and said air inlet opening in the support being located adjacent the bottom of the support.

10. A heater comprising a support, a heat exchange head mounted thereon for rotary'movement about a substantially upright axis, means for rotating the head, means for forcing a current ofair into heat transferring relation to the head during rotation of the head, outlet means on the head, the discharging direction of which outlet extends transverse to the axis of rotation of the head fordischarging air from the head in pro- 6 gressively changing directions as the head is rotated, a gas burner carried by the head, a mixing tube for the burner and having a downwardly facing gas receiving opening substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation, a gas injection 10 nozzle mounted in the support and being coaxial with said gas receiving opening and received therein for supplying combustible media to the burner.

11. A heater comprising a support, a hollow lb heat exchange head mounted on the support for rotation about a predetermined axis, means for rotating the head, means for forcing a current of air into heat transferring relationship to the head, outlet means on the head extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the head for discharging air from the head in progressively changing directions as the head is rotated, means carried by the support and infixed position relative thereto for supplying combustible media to the head, said means being out of contact with the head. I

12. A heater comprising an upright supporting member, a hollow heat exchange member, bearing means interposed between the members for supporting the heat exchange member on the supporting member for enabling rotation of the heat exchange member about an upright axis,

, means for rotating the head member, a burner carried by one of themembers in a position to sustain a flame in heating relation to the head member, said burner being located above the level 'of the bearing means, means for supplying combustible media to the burner, means forforcing a current of air into heat exchanging relation- 40 ship to the head member, and means for dis charging the heated air in direction normal to the axis of rotation of the head which directions change as the heat exchange member is rotated. 13. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head mounted on the support for rotation about a predetermined axis, means for rotating the head, a single outlet for the head fixed thereto and extending substantially normal r to the axis of oscillation for rotation by the head progressively to redirect the output of the head into the space to be heated, flue means on the head having an exhaust opening coaxial with said axis, a stack, means supporting the stack in fixed position, said flue means extending into the inlet end of the stack.

14. A heater comprising a support, a heat exchange head mounted on said support in generally uprightposition and for oscillatory movement about a generally'upright axis, means for on oscillating the head about said axis, mean at the rear of said head for circulating air therethrough from the rear to the front, said head being relatively narrow fore and aft and relatively wide, a burner mounted in the head, said burner being elongated in the direction of the width of the head, a mixing tube on the burner, said mixing tube having a downwardly facing gas injection opening which is substantially coaxial with the axis of oscillation, a nozzle carried by the support and coaxial with the opening and received in said gas injection opening.

15. A heater comprising a support, a hollow heat exchange head having a passage extending said passage from the rear of the head and an outlet extending transversely of the axis of rotation for discharging the forced air forwardly from the head progressively in new directions in the I space to be heated in different rotated positions of the head, and means for supplying combustible media into the head in rotated position of the head for sustaining ,a flame during rotation of the head.

16. A heater comprising a support, a heat exchange head rotatably mounted on the support and having an inlet and an outlet opening for air to be passed through the head, burner means including a burner element in fixed relation to 5 the support and a cooperating element in fixed relationship to the head, said burner being positioned so as to apply heat to the head, power through the head to the driven air forcing mechanism in fixed relation to the head and operative to maintain air motion outlet opening, and 'means connecting said mechanism and the support in a manner to rotate the head on the support about an axis extending transverse to the axis of said outlet opening during operation of said mechanism for automatically changing the direction at which theheated air is discharged from the outlet opening into the space to be heated.

GEORGE B. HEEtBSTER. 

